Know your fabric first
The single most important question for hanbok care is fabric. Silk needs dry cleaning. Cotton and linen can be hand-washed. Cotton-silk blends usually behave like silk for safety. If you do not know what your hanbok is made of, ask the seller before you ever touch it with water.
Silk hanbok
Silk ceremonial hanbok, the wedding, dol, and Chuseok kind, should be dry cleaned only. Spot cleaning with water leaves rings on silk that are almost impossible to remove. If you spill something, blot, do not rub, and bring it to a dry cleaner that handles silk garments. Tell them it is hanbok; many Korean dry cleaners know the panels.
Between wearings, store flat, folded with acid-free tissue paper between layers to prevent dye transfer. Avoid plastic; silk needs to breathe.
Linen and cotton hanbok
Modern daily hanbok in linen, cotton, or modal blends is washable. Hand wash in cold water with a gentle detergent (Eric uses unscented baby detergent), or machine wash on the most delicate cycle inside a mesh laundry bag. Lay flat to dry; never tumble dry, the heat shrinks and warps the panels.
Iron on low while damp if you want a crisper jeogori. Skip the iron if you prefer the soft, lived-in look that modern hanbok rewards.
Folding the chima
The full chima is the trickiest part of a hanbok to store. Folded badly, it creases along visible lines.
The traditional method: fold the chima into thirds lengthwise, then roll it from the hem upward. The roll prevents sharp creases. If you have shelf space, hang from the waist sash on a wide padded hanger instead.
Folding the jeogori
Fold the jeogori with the sleeves crossed in front, then fold in thirds along the long axis. Keep the goreum (front tie) loose, not tied. The knot leaves a crease if pressed flat for long.
Embroidery and beadwork
If your hanbok has hand embroidery or gold thread, treat the embroidered area like glass. Never iron directly on it; iron the back of the panel through a pressing cloth. Store flat, not folded across the embroidery.
Traveling with hanbok
For domestic travel, pack flat in tissue inside a carry-on if possible. For international, a soft garment bag inside a hard suitcase. Hanbok generally survives travel better than a Western suit because the construction is softer.
Steam, do not iron, when you arrive. Most hotels have steamers; in a pinch, hanging in a bathroom while you shower works.
Once a year, no matter what
Take your hanbok out once a year and air it for a few hours. This prevents fold lines from setting permanently and lets humidity dissipate. Refold along different lines.
If something goes wrong
Most hanbok damage is fixable. A seam, a button, a small tear, all repairable. Eric can usually arrange repairs through the original Seoul atelier. Send him a photo if something happens to your piece.
Talk to Eric
Looking for hanbok you can keep for decades? Eric at The Korean In Me sources authentic hanbok personally from Seoul, inspects every piece in San Mateo, and works with each customer on sizing and color. Contact Eric to inquire →